Dear Parent/Guardian,

The Orion Program is a gifted and talented program for elementary students designed to cater to the unique learning needs of children who demonstrate exceptional abilities in various domains such as academics, creativity, or specific intellectual aptitudes. This program goes beyond the standard curriculum, offering enriched and accelerated learning experiences that challenge these students and support their advanced cognitive development.

The Orion Committee is beginning preparations for the 2024/25 school year.  We have an enhanced screening process beginning with an IQ exam which assesses a variety of skills including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. It aims to provide a holistic understanding of an individual's cognitive strengths and weaknesses, offering insights that are crucial in tailoring educational and developmental support for gifted and talented students.

The general description of a child who would qualify for a gifted and talented program is a student who exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area.  They should possess an unusual capacity for leadership and excel in various academic fields.  A child who performs at, or shows the potential for, performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment would be a candidate for the Orion Program.

Please note the following:

• The exam is given in a large group setting.  There is no individual testing.
• The exam will be computer-based.  Students will take the test on the computer. 
• The exam is approximately 2 ½ hours long. 
• The exam is administered during the school day and your child is responsible for making up any missed classwork.  
• The exam is open to current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students only.
• Students are required to attain or surpass a specified benchmark score as a prerequisite for admission into the program.
• If your child is already in the ORION program, they are automatically enrolled. They do not take the exam again.

We ask that you consider all of the factors before completing the attached permission slip. If you feel your child exhibits these qualities and would like him/her to take the exam, please register your child for the exam by completing this permission slip. Forms are due by no later than April 19, 2024.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly Nuñez-Boccanfuso
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

Ms. Jennifer L. Freedman
Director of Instructional Technology & Innovation